I heard that heavy sigh, author.
I mean, really heard it. Down to my own little author toes.
Trust me, I know how newsletters can begin to feel like drudgery. And I know how frustrating the newsletter platforms can be.
Like, you’re trying to grow your list - because lots of readers is the goal, right? - but every time you’re ready to celebrate a new subscriber milestone your rates increase accordingly. Also, sometimes it feels like you need a degree in advanced mathematics to figure out what your platform is going to charge you on any given month, based on some complicated formula involving how many subscribers you have and how many times you email them, multiplied by the number of blue moons in Capricorn between the years of 1950 - 2024.
And then, trying to format the newsletter itself! How do you get those text blocks and image blocks and “click here” buttons to go where you want them and look the way you want them to?
I can help with that part, by the way. Creating beautiful author newsletters is one of the services I provide as Author Genie.
But - this is where I get to tell you about my favorite newsletter platform: Flodesk
In case you haven’t figured this out yet about me, I’m all about keeping things easy and fun whenever possible. The whole point of a newsletter is easy communication with your readers, so that you can get back to writing books. I’ve played around with most of the platforms, and Flodesk is far and away my favorite.
Full disclosure - I am a Flodesk partner and the link I’m about to share is an affiliate link. So yes, I do get a nice little percentage every time somebody purchases Flodesk using my link. But you also get 50% off on your first year, so win-win, right?
More full disclosure - I was a Flodesk evangelist long before I had that affiliate link.
Things I love about Flodesk
Simple price structure - no math, no tiers, no limits. Grow your list without incurring extra costs. Send as many emails as you want. The cost won’t change.
Beautiful, easy to use design templates.
Easy branding - save your color palette and fonts so they are right there whenever you want them.
GIFS! Really. They are so much fun to use.
Easy to create and use audience segments that make it super simple to send newsletters - or not- to different groups of subscribers. Oh - and you can even automagically create a new segment when a reader clicks on a link to help you find your super readers. If you write in multiple genres this can also help you target emails specifically to your ideal readers only.
Polls! This is a new feature I’m loving. No need to send your readers off to another site to conduct a poll. It’s now built right in.
Easy to design and implement branded newsletter sign up forms: pop ups, in line, and full page stand alones.
Easy integration with BookFunnel.
Reasons NOT to switch to Flodesk:
You are just getting started with your newsletter and want to use a platform that is free. Flodesk does offer a free trial, but it’s only 30 days. You might want to start with MailerLite which lets you build up your list to 1000 subscribers for free. As your list grows you’ll reach the point where you do have to pay, and then you can decide whether you want to come on over to the greener Flodesk pastures or not.
You have a Wordpress website and your website maintenance service person prefers not to install the newsletter signup form code. Save yourself a headache and check on this before you switch! (Also, you might consider switching up to a Squarespace website.)
Moving just seems too hard. (I may be able to help you with that.)
Ready to take a look at Flodesk? Start your free trial now.
Questions? Shoot me an email.